]]>Patriot Getaways is your number one destination this fall, and if you have always wanted to witness one of the most spectacular events in the world, book your cabin in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge today.

People from all over the globe travel to the Great Smoky Mountains just to see the gorgeous carpet of burnt umber, gold, rust, red, yellow and orange leaves that are saying their good-byes to summer.

Book a luxury cabin with Patriot Getaways like Altitude Adjustment. This gorgeous four-bedroom four-bath deluxe rated cabin can sleep up to eight people and has amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountains. With three levels, you can catch a glimpse of the autumn colors from the massive windows on every floor. After a hike in the mountains, you will love coming home to your fully functional kitchen to prepare a meal for your family. After dinner, you and your partner can soak in the outdoor hot tub while the kids enjoy a challenging game of pool.

Don’t miss the colors of fall and book your cabin with Patriot Getaways today.

]]>http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/enjoy-autumn-with-patriot-getaways/feed/0Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: Dollywood Sweeps 2013 Golden Ticket Awards with Five ‘Best of the Best’ Honorshttp://patriotgetaways.com/blog/pigeon-forge-tennessee-dollywood-sweeps-2013-golden-ticket-awards-with-five-%e2%80%98best-of-the-best%e2%80%99-honors/
http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/pigeon-forge-tennessee-dollywood-sweeps-2013-golden-ticket-awards-with-five-%e2%80%98best-of-the-best%e2%80%99-honors/#respondTue, 17 Sep 2013 13:32:29 +0000http://blog.patriotgetaways.com/?p=1553Dollywood won five “best of the best” awards, ranked as finalists in five additional categories and landed two coasters on Amusement Today’s annual Best Steel and Best Wooden Coaster lists at the magazine’s prestigious 2013 Golden Ticket Awards on Saturday, Sept. 7. The awards, presented by trade publication Amusement Today, were handed out at Santa […]

]]>Dollywood won five “best of the best” awards, ranked as finalists in five additional categories and landed two coasters on Amusement Today’s annual Best Steel and Best Wooden Coaster lists at the magazine’s prestigious 2013 Golden Ticket Awards on Saturday, Sept. 7.

“News of our five 2013 Golden Ticket Awards just absolutely blows me away,” said Dolly Parton. “I’m absolutely humbled but truly so very proud of my great team at The Dollywood Company. Having just announced plans for next year’s FireChaser Express at Dollywood and my new Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort in 2015, all of these Golden Ticket Awards let me know that we’re on the right path to expanding our family vacation destination so that more and more folks can experience what our industry has so kindly and sweetly honored among the best our business has to offer. Thank you from the very bottom of this country girl’s heart!”Dollywood’s five Golden Ticket Awards include top honors in three categories, including a first-time win for Dollywood’s Splash Country, and repeats in four categories:

• Best New Ride for 2013 (Waterpark) for Dollywood’s Splash Country’s RiverRush water coaster, Tennessee’s first and only;

• Best Food, (a tie with Knoebels Amusement Resort);

• Friendliest park, a second consecutive win in this category and once again besting 13-time winner Holiday World;

Dollywood’s Wild Eagle coaster ranked number 24 on Amusement Today’s annual Top 50 Best Steel Coaster list while the park’s Thunderhead wooden coaster placed fifth on the Top 50 Best Wooden Coaster rankings.

Calculated from an international poll conducted by Amusement Today, the industry’s leading trade publication, the Golden Ticket Awards are the results of a detailed survey sent to a database of experienced and well-traveled amusement park fans around the world in balanced geographical regions. Voters are asked to rate the “best” in 25 categories such as amusement parks, roller coasters, water rides, shows, landscaping and Halloween and Christmas events.

The Golden Ticket Awards are the most sought after awards in the business of amusements and attractions. The awards have become the subject of much discussion by park aficionados the world over and garnered mentions in such notable media outlets as USA TODAY and the Chicago Tribune, and by the late radio newsman Paul Harvey. The awards also were the topic of a one-hour Travel Channel documentary.

Dollywood was recognized in 2010 at the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions with the Applause Award in recognition of a park whose management, operations and creative accomplishments have inspired the industry with its foresight, originality and sound business development.

About DollywoodBased in the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is a 150-acre family adventure park which operates nine months a year (late March through early January) and offers more than 40 rides and attractions; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region, and Wild Eagle, the country’s first wing coaster. A family-friendly vacation destination, Dollywood also includes the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country, voted America’s “Must-See Waterpark.” Dollywood offers all-inclusive vacation planning with a variety of overnight lodging options. The Dollywood Company recently announced plans for the new dual-launch FireChaser Express, opening in 2014, and Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, a 300-room property slated to open in 2015. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.

]]>http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/pigeon-forge-tennessee-dollywood-sweeps-2013-golden-ticket-awards-with-five-%e2%80%98best-of-the-best%e2%80%99-honors/feed/0A Step Closer to Completing the “Missing Link” of the Foothills Parkway from Waland to Wears Valley, Tennesseehttp://patriotgetaways.com/blog/a-step-closer-to-completing-the-%e2%80%9cmissing-link%e2%80%9d-of-the-foothills-parkway-from-waland-to-wears-valley-tennessee/
http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/a-step-closer-to-completing-the-%e2%80%9cmissing-link%e2%80%9d-of-the-foothills-parkway-from-waland-to-wears-valley-tennessee/#respondTue, 25 Jun 2013 14:18:04 +0000http://blog.patriotgetaways.com/?p=1522Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrated the completion of Bridge 2 on the Foothills Parkway near Wears Valley, TN with a ribbon cutting event on Monday, June 24. The completion of Bridge 2 marks a significant milestone bringing the park one step closer towards finishing the “missing link,” a 1.65-mile section of the Parkway between […]

Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrated the completion of Bridge 2 on the Foothills Parkway near Wears Valley, TN with a ribbon cutting event on Monday, June 24. The completion of Bridge 2 marks a significant milestone bringing the park one step closer towards finishing the “missing link,” a 1.65-mile section of the Parkway between Walland and Wears Valley which has been under construction for many years.

Congressman John Duncan, representatives from Congressman Phil Roe and Senator Lamar Alexander, members of the Federal Highways Administration, local government and tourism officials, and government contractors joined National Park Service officials at the head of the 800-foot bridge. After the short celebration ceremony, guests were able to walk the length of the bridge to take in the panoramic views of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“The Foothills Parkway provides a significant connection between a number of east Tennessee communities, two Congressional Districts, and three counties,” said Superintendent, Dale Ditmanson. “We are thankful to all of the government and tourism leaders who were able to join us for our celebration today and who have supported this important project for our park.”

The Foothills Parkway was authorized by Congress in 1944 as a scenic parkway intended to provide picturesque viewing of the Great Smoky Mountains as well as disperse traffic from the heavily used transportation corridors in East Tennessee. Two sections of the Parkway are open extending from Chilhowee, TN to Walland, TN and from Cosby, TN to I-40 and have been open to the public since 1968. The 16 miles of road between Walland, TN and Wears Valley, TN includes “the missing link” and has been partially completed, but never open to the public to use as a true parkway.

The completion of the “missing link” is currently underway as a “multiple bridges project” funded through Title 23, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Federal Lands Transportation Program, and multiple Federal Highways Appropriations awarded at $48,438,000. The final stage of the project will complete the paving and other miscellaneous work needed to open the entire 16 miles of Parkway between Walland and Wears Valley, but remains unfunded at this time. The park aims to have the final paving project completed by the Centennial of the National Park Service in 2016.

Information from Hiking in the Smokies. Be sure to visit their site for their site for the most comprehensive information on hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains.

]]>http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/a-step-closer-to-completing-the-%e2%80%9cmissing-link%e2%80%9d-of-the-foothills-parkway-from-waland-to-wears-valley-tennessee/feed/0Newfound Gap Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, Tennessee reopened to traffic Monday April 15th, 2013, one month ahead of schedule.http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/newfound-gap-road-in-the-great-smoky-mountains-national-park-near-gatlinburg-tennessee-reopened-to-traffic-monday-april-15th-2013-one-month-ahead-of-schedule/
http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/newfound-gap-road-in-the-great-smoky-mountains-national-park-near-gatlinburg-tennessee-reopened-to-traffic-monday-april-15th-2013-one-month-ahead-of-schedule/#respondMon, 15 Apr 2013 18:07:04 +0000http://blog.patriotgetaways.com/?p=1496Newfound Gap Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park reopened to traffic Monday April 15th, 2013, one month ahead of schedule. The road was shut down in January, after a massive landslide washed away the land supporting the road. Crews have been working since then to re-stabilize the land and repair the roadway. Park […]

Newfound Gap Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park reopened to traffic Monday April 15th, 2013, one month ahead of schedule.

The road was shut down in January, after a massive landslide washed away the land supporting the road.

Crews have been working since then to re-stabilize the land and repair the roadway. Park officials expected the road to reopen by May 15, but it was back open by 10 am on April 15. Crews from contractor Phillips-Jordan worked 24 hours a day in the last few weeks, and finished the paving and striping of the road over the weekend.

Workers moved 50,000 cubic yards of crushed rocks to better support the road surface, and added drainage, to hopefully prevent this from happening in the future.

The Park Service and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee offered the contractor $18,000 per day for each day of completion prior to May 15, with a maximum of $500,000.

Newfound Gap Road, also known as Highway 441, is the main route to North Carolina through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Pigeon Forge, TN – March 2013 / Hospitality 1ST / Dollywood treats its 2013 guests to more shows and more time to enjoy them as the Smoky Mountains theme park introduces a spectacular lineup of new entertainment throughout the season, six summertime weeks of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. operating hours with nightly fireworks and much more this season.

“I know one of the best things I have to offer folks is more Dollywood time to enjoy and spend together,” Dolly Parton said. “This year, we’re going to share more showtime, more nighttime, more summertime, more fun time but, most especially, more good old-fashioned family time. And to me, that’s the best time of all!”

On the heels of the park’s fourth Golden Ticket Award for Best Shows (awarded by the theme park industry’s leading trade publication Amusement Today), the entertainment begins with two new headlining shows during Festival of Nations presented by Humana (now through April 22). Cirque Shanghai showcases traditional and modern Chinese acrobatics alongside amazing displays of physical strength and incredible feats of balance. Mystic India takes audiences on a celebratory journey through India via a stunning performance which fuses dance, theatre and visual effects into an amazing explosion of color and energy. The festival also features stilt walkers, sway pole dancers, mariachi singers, a bagpiper as well as a new World Passport to Food which offers a culinary world tour featuring 100 food items.

The Great American Country Show heats up the summer stage, premiering May 11. The 40-minute cutting-edge show features today’s country music along with GAC’s most popular on-air personalities appearing on towering big screens that flank the stage. Each show includes an appearance by a special guest artist, too. The Great American Country Show continues through Oct. 26.

Come summertime, Dollywood introduces The Great American Summer, June 22 through Aug. 4. Extended park hours – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily – offer unique rides like Wild Eagle, the country’s first wing coaster, all day and into the night. Each day is capped by Dolly’s Nights of Many Colors, a spectacular nightly fireworks display synchronized to music. Parton wrote Paint Your Dreams across the Sky, a musical crescendo, for the occasion. Other highlights include homemade ice cream and more than 300 flavors of fresh and frozen lemonade, iced tea, and milkshakes.

For the first time since 2009, Parton penned a new show and new music for another. My People features her brother Randy and sister Cassie along with several other family members who share songs of their family’s strong faith, their deep love for the Smoky Mountains and their steadfast belief in their sister Dolly who says, “With the love of your family, all things are possible.” The show, underscored by Parton’s recollections of several of her pivotal life moments, runs May 10, 2013 through Jan. 4, 2014, in Dreamsong Theatre.

Parton also provides all-new music for Dollywood’s A Christmas Carol, the park’s original adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic. For the first time ever in theme park history, cutting-edge holographic technology brings Parton to the stage in a very special role as the Ghost of Christmas past in this heartwarming musical that follows the inspiring and powerful transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge. Set amid lavish Victorian scenery, the classic story of redemption and hope is underscored by seven powerful new songs written by Parton especially for this 45-minute musical. Dollywood’s A Christmas Carol headlines the park’s annual Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana, a five-time winner (2008-12) of the Golden Ticket Award for Best Christmas Event.

A 150-acre family adventure park located in the Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade. Open nine months a year (March 23-Jan. 4, 2014), Dollywood offers rides and attractions; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. The neighboring 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country, which operates Memorial Day to Labor Day, features RiverRush, Tennessee’s first and only water coaster. Dollywood Vacations offers all-inclusive vacation planning that features lodging and tickets for Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD. Operating days and hours vary.

]]>http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/dollywood-pigeon-forge-tennessee-summerlong-extended-operating-hours-with-nightly-fireworks-season-long-marquee-of-new-shows-lead-the-biggest-entertainment-year-in-dollywood%e2%80%99s-28-year-hist/feed/0Spring in the Smoky Mountains near Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennesseehttp://patriotgetaways.com/blog/spring-in-the-smoky-mountains-near-pigeon-forge-and-gatlinburg-tennessee/
http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/spring-in-the-smoky-mountains-near-pigeon-forge-and-gatlinburg-tennessee/#respondThu, 21 Feb 2013 12:26:19 +0000http://blog.patriotgetaways.com/?p=1465During the spring time of year, the Smoky Mountains begin to bloom! Spring break trips to Pigeon Forge will be filled with fun for all ages. From Car Shows to Bar-B-Que and Bluegrass, the Smoky Mountains has something to offer everyone during the spring time. Take a hike in the mountains to catch some […]

]]>During the spring time of year, the Smoky Mountains begin to bloom! Spring break trips to Pigeon Forge will be filled with fun for all ages. From Car Shows to Bar-B-Que and Bluegrass, the Smoky Mountains has something to offer everyone during the spring time. Take a hike in the mountains to catch some amazing spring blooms or sit back and relax and enjoy the crisp clear Smoky Mountain mornings from your very own log cabin. No matter what you choose to do, spring in the Smokies is a wonderful place to be.

When coming to Pigeon forge and Gatlinburg for a Smoky Mountain spring break, everyone should attend at least one of these wonderful annual events:

Dollywood’s Festival of Nations

March 23rd – April 22nd, 2013

Dollywood is your window to the world during Festival of Nations! Experience 20 fascinating countries represented through music, dance, food and art, including the all-new headlining show Cirque Shanghai!

Be here as Bollywood comes to Dollywood by way of the new fast-paced show Mystic India. Special entertainment from all corners of the world collides at Dollywood’s Festival of Nations.

Spring Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament

April 6th – 7th, 2013

Play a part in the fun and excitement of the Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament. This event is perfect for adults, children and of course all visitors. Before these seasonal, 2-day trout tournaments get started, there will be over 10,000 trout stocked in over 20 miles of streams! Enter the tournament for your chance at over $10,000 in cash and prizes. Spend your next vacation trout fishing in Tennessee and experience all the fun the Smokies have to offer!

Grand Spring Rod Run

April 19th – 21st, 2013

Thousands of classic car, truck and motorcycle enthusiasts make the pilgrimage to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville, Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains each year. Pigeon Forge is a popular host to rod runs and car shows. Participants love to take their classic car or hot rod group on a Smoky Mountain scenic drive or just cruise the parkway. Although the hotel itself will be closed at the time of the Spring Grand Rod Run, the event will be based at The Grand Resort Convention Center and hotel grounds. Call 1 -800-241-4444 for more information.

Dolly’s Homecoming Parade

May 10th, 2013

Like most parades, the Pigeon Forge Dolly Parade is filled with marching bands, entertainers, floats, baton twirlers, horses and other colorful entries. What makes this parade different? Its namesake and the grand marshal, Miss Dolly Parton!

During the Dolly Homecoming Parade, Ms. Parton will be sitting atop her float leading the parade through town. More than 50,000 visitors will line the Parkway to experience this annual event. This year spectators can expect to see even a “9 to 5” float based off Dolly’s movie! Plus there’s even planned sightings of a submarine and NASCAR racecar.

The Dolly Parade begins near traffic light #6 and continues north on the Parkway to traffic light #3. The parade traditionally begins at 6:00 P.M. You should arrive early though so you can get the best view.

NOTE: You can expect traffic congestion and delays during this event. Please plan accordingly. Come in Thursday to avoid the traffic on Friday.

Dollywood’s Barbeque & Bluegrass

May 25th – June 9th, 2013

Bring your barbeque eating hands and your bluegrass tapping feet to the Dollywood Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival! With the price of park admission you get 300 free concerts by some of the greatest bluegrass acts in the country and great food to go along with it. Performers include Grammy award-winner Ricky Skaggs, Kentucky Thunder, Riders in the Sky, Rhonda Vincent and much more!

When you’re ready for some southern dishes head over to the Barbeque Headquarters at Market Square. There you can try some Tennessee pulled pork, delicious ribs, and succulent chicken. If you want to try something new, the Backstage Restaurant will have a hot new menu for the Dollywood Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival that includes all new barbeque dishes! If you still need to spice things up stop by the Sauce Tastin’ Station to try some eyebrow raising barbeque sauce. Make sure to leave room for dessert which includes a 3-pound slice from a 25-pound apple pie!

]]>http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/spring-in-the-smoky-mountains-near-pigeon-forge-and-gatlinburg-tennessee/feed/0Clingmans Dome to be open early for visitors this Friday February 15th, 2013http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/clingmans-dome-to-be-open-early-for-visitors-this-friday-february-15th-2013/
http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/clingmans-dome-to-be-open-early-for-visitors-this-friday-february-15th-2013/#respondThu, 14 Feb 2013 18:24:01 +0000http://blog.patriotgetaways.com/?p=1462In a change from the norm, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has decided to open Clingmans Dome Road to visitors starting this Friday, February 15th, 2013. The road is a popular high elevation destination and typically closes in winter months because of a threat for winter weather. The park plans to open the road […]

]]>In a change from the norm, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has decided to open Clingmans Dome Road to visitors starting this Friday, February 15th, 2013.

The road is a popular high elevation destination and typically closes in winter months because of a threat for winter weather. The park plans to open the road to traffic as weather conditions allow as early as February 15.

The park plans to monitor the road for dangerous conditions and will close it if the weather turns bad.

The park says milder temperatures over this season have allowed for better access to the road for visitors wanting to see Clingmans Dome.

For the most current road closure information, please call 865-436-1200 x 631 or follow SmokiesRoadsNPS on Twitter.

]]>http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/clingmans-dome-to-be-open-early-for-visitors-this-friday-february-15th-2013/feed/0The Great Smoky Mountains Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg, Tennessee to get immediate renovationshttp://patriotgetaways.com/blog/the-great-smoky-mountains-sugarlands-visitor-center-in-gatlinburg-tennessee-to-get-immediate-renovations/
http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/the-great-smoky-mountains-sugarlands-visitor-center-in-gatlinburg-tennessee-to-get-immediate-renovations/#respondThu, 03 Jan 2013 13:05:27 +0000http://blog.patriotgetaways.com/?p=1429Beginning January 7, 2013, Sugarlands Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will begin getting much needed renovations to better accommodate the 850,000 thousand visitors that come through the visitor center annually. Improvements will include the main lobby and visitor contact area. Artist rendering of renovations at Sugarlands Visitor Center. The new visitor contact […]

]]>Beginning January 7, 2013, Sugarlands Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will begin getting much needed renovations to better accommodate the 850,000 thousand visitors that come through the visitor center annually.

Improvements will include the main lobby and visitor contact area.

Artist rendering of renovations at Sugarlands Visitor Center.

The new visitor contact area will create a sense of arrival and enhance visitor orientation as visitors are provided park information and directed to interactive exhibits that introduce them to park resources. Along with lighting system improvements, the new visitor information desk and exhibits will be laid out to have more open space allowing for better circulation and overall accessibility. New interactive exhibits in the lobby will focus attention on natural resource challenges like air quality and forest health. In addition, access to the popular natural history exhibits in the existing museum will be improved.

Sustainable products will be used in the renovations.

Construction work will be concentrated between 2pm and 11pm daily, Monday through Friday, January 7, 2013 through March 31, 2013. During this time period, the natural history museum portion of the visitor center will be closed to the public. All other services including general information, the park film, and the bookstore will remain available. Visitors should expect to see construction work throughout the 3-month period.

]]>http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/the-great-smoky-mountains-sugarlands-visitor-center-in-gatlinburg-tennessee-to-get-immediate-renovations/feed/0New Attraction Tomb coming to Pigeon Forge at Walden’s Landinghttp://patriotgetaways.com/blog/new-attraction-tomb-coming-to-pigeon-forge-at-waldens-landing/
http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/new-attraction-tomb-coming-to-pigeon-forge-at-waldens-landing/#respondTue, 10 May 2011 07:00:29 +0000http://blog.patriotgetaways.com/?p=1004“It’s called Tomb, an interactive attraction that resembles a pyramid. And it’s coming to Pigeon Forge, home of some of the most interesting and creative attractions this side of Orlando. A pyramid constructed of plastic foam and stucco is being built in Waldens Landing on the Parkway, yet another reason for visitors to choose Sevier […]

]]>“It’s called Tomb, an interactive attraction that resembles a pyramid. And it’s coming to Pigeon Forge, home of some of the most interesting and creative attractions this side of Orlando.

A pyramid constructed of plastic foam and stucco is being built in Waldens Landing on the Parkway, yet another reason for visitors to choose Sevier County for their vacations and getaways. Developer Ned Vickers says the $900,000 project will include tearing out the wall separating a pair of vacant stores, remaking their facades with the pyramid and introducing something Vickers believes will be unlike anything ever done in the area. Tomb is expected to open in late May. Vickers saw one in the Northeast.
“It had a really successful six-year run in Boston,” Vickers says. “We heard about it and decided we had to go up and see it for ourselves. This is such a unique concept. I was sold on it the first time I went through it.”

Vickers and his partners are to be commended for what they have done to Waldens Landing. Anchored by a modern movie theater — the first for our county — the shopping center has attracted great stores as it has evolved to handle the theater and some new tenants.

Now Vickers is rounding it out with Tomb. Guests will be transported into what Vickers calls a “very immersive, highly themed, Indiana Jones-type adventure.” Inside, they’ll find themselves in the middle of a mock-up of an Egyptian pharaoh’s tomb.

From there, it will be up to them and their guide to find a way out for their group.

When you think about all of the attractions opened or under construction in Pigeon Forge, it’s remarkable. Soon to open is Lumberjack Feud, featuring an arena where lumberjacks will compete and where visitors can try their hand at some competitions. The Fee Hedrick Entertainment Group is about to open Hatfield vs. McCoy in what used to be Black Bear Jamboree. Dollywood continues to expand with new rides and fun added each year. And don’t forget Titanic Museum Attraction, all of the entertainment theaters and more.

Vickers believes Tomb will mesh perfectly with the feel of Pigeon Forge as a whole. It will be brightly lit (a Plexiglass topper on the pyramid will be filled with color-changing lights), a bit ostentatious and fully geared toward catching the attention of passersby on the Parkway, who Vickers hopes will be drawn into the shopping center.

]]>http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/new-attraction-tomb-coming-to-pigeon-forge-at-waldens-landing/feed/0Ten Thousand Villages Shop in Pigeon Forge, a must when visiting the area.http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/ten-thousand-villages-shop-in-pigeon-forge-a-must-when-visiting-the-area/
http://patriotgetaways.com/blog/ten-thousand-villages-shop-in-pigeon-forge-a-must-when-visiting-the-area/#respondWed, 27 Apr 2011 07:00:05 +0000http://blog.patriotgetaways.com/?p=995My wife and I recently stopped in to the Ten Thousands Villages store in Pigeon Forge in the Belz Outlet mall on Teaster lane. All I can say is WOW! What an amazing place that is a Free Trade Retailer. I personally had never heard of anything like this but the clerk was very friendly […]

]]>My wife and I recently stopped in to the Ten Thousands Villages store in Pigeon Forge in the Belz Outlet mall on Teaster lane. All I can say is WOW! What an amazing place that is a Free Trade Retailer. I personally had never heard of anything like this but the clerk was very friendly and explained to us what Ten Thousand Villages was all about.

Ten Thousand Villages in Pigeon Forge in Pigeon Forge, TN, is a fair trade retailer of artisan-crafted home decor, personal accessories and gift items from across the globe. Featuring products from more than 130 artisan groups in some 38 countries, we are part of a network of over 390 retail outlets throughout the United States selling Ten Thousand Villages products.

As one of the world’s oldest and largest fair trade organizations, Ten Thousand Villages has spent more than 60 years cultivating trading relationships in which artisans receive a fair price for their work and consumers have access to distinctive handcrafted items. We seek to establish long-term buying relationships in places where skilled artisans are under- or unemployed, and in which they lack other opportunities for income. A founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), Ten Thousand Villages sees fair trade as an alternative approach to conventional international trade.

Ten Thousand Villages works to empower tens of thousands of disadvantaged artisans across 38 Third World countries by paying them a fair wage for their wares. Reflecting the artists’ cultural traditions, these handcrafted goods—ranging from baskets and jewelry to textiles and home decor—are then sold in the charity’s network of more than 390 retail outlets as well as online.

As one of the oldest and largest nonprofits promoting fair trade, Ten Thousand Villages reaches out to people who otherwise aren’t plugged into the normal trading system. The charity helps these workers to find a market for their goods, at the same time eradicating poverty by giving them enough money to provide for themselves and their families. In a quest to help, however, the organization can’t buy just any product. It has to be one that sells. It has to get customers’ attention as not just having a good price tag, but being a good item. Wanting to truly be fair to their artisans, the charity enters into a discussion with them of what is a reasonable amount of money for the goods. The point is not to bargain a lower price, of course.

The organization traces its roots back to 1946 when Edna Ruth Byler went on a trip to Puerto Rico to volunteer and was moved by the extreme poverty she witnessed. One day, she sat down with some farmers’ wives and discovered they were doing embroidery work in hopes of sending their daughters to school. Finding the work quality and wanting to help, she brought it back to the States, where she began to sell it to her neighbors and friends. It sold so well, she soon sent money in an envelope, requesting more products. She looked up one day to discover her basement was full of goods from all over the world.

Today they are still essentially trying to do the same thing. So the next time you visit the Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg be sure to stop in to the Ten Thousand Villages shop and find something unique to take home from around the world. You can also shop online and get more information or get involved by visiting tenthousandvillages.com.